Understanding?

To say Leo was worried would be an understatement Nico and Jason had just left to go to some crazy guy's palace and he was still left on the ship, like always.

Nico still hated him, and he couldn't do anything about it, he was stuck here looking at the stupid dock as if willing them to return and for everything to be fine.

Leo watched people as they walked along the city street of Split, Leo still felt like the name was some sort of warning telling them to leave.

Yet he did the exact opposite he stayed right on the dock and yeah, he knew it wouldn't bring them back faster, but he also didn't want to leave, it felt like him giving up.

Just then, Piper approached him from behind. Leo pretended not to notice, hoping she would simply walk past him.

Of course, she didn't, "so want to tell me what you've been staring at for the last five minutes?" Her tone was curious, but there was an underlying concern that made Leo's stomach twist.

Leo shrugged, trying to play it off. "Just making sure the dock doesn't go anywhere," he replied with forced nonchalance.

He shifted his weight and stepped on a loose board. "See? No good. Really should get on that." Leo laughed nervously, the sound grating even to his own ears.

Piper crossed her arms, "Leo, come on. What is really going on?"

"Just worried about them, that's all. You know, just means we're one day closer to the end of the world." He laughed, but it sounded hollow to him.

Piper sighed, "Leo, come on. That's not funny, and I thought we agreed that you could talk to me."

Leo looked down, avoiding her gaze. "We're talking, aren't we?"

Piper stepped closer, her voice softening, though the firmness remained. "Come on, what's really going on with you?"

Leo shrugged again, still evading her penetrating eyes. "I told you, I'm just worried."

"Leo, you can't keep doing this."

"Doing what?" Leo asked, trying to sound indifferent, but his voice betrayed him with a slight quiver.

"Pretending like you're fine when you're clearly not," she said, stepping closer.

"And I know I haven't made it easy for you to tell me what's really going on, but I am trying."

Leo glanced at her, seeing the guilt in her eyes. Piper was always so composed, so put together, but right now not so much.

"I mean, we started this thing together," she continued, her voice softening even more.

"And I don't want us drifting apart because I've decided to be blind to your feelings."

Leo's eyes widened in surprise. He hadn't expected that from her. He knew Piper was perceptive but hearing her admit something that he didn't even think she noticed or cared about was shocking.

"I know you're trying, Pipes, but I..." He trailed off, looking away, conflicted. He didn't know how to let it out without it all collapsing in on him.

Piper followed his gaze, glancing out at the city of Split, which loomed in the distance.

He slumped down on the dock, his legs dangling over the water. After a moment, Piper sat beside him.

"I keep messing everything up?" Leo's voice was barely more than a whisper, but the despair in it was unmistakable.

"Come on, you don't mess everything up, Leo," Piper said, her tone encouraging.

"Look at everything you've done."